CHALLENGE COMPLETED Results Announced Here!
Show the best scenes from your city Season 3 - Challenge #23 - Monthly (47 days)
This time, in the final Monthly challenge of the season, we're throwing the doors open, giving you freedom to present any of your finest city-building scenes.
You may enter up to 3 images you've created from your cities, towns or villages. The image(s) can be anything you'd like, not necessarily depicting high density and skyscrapers -- it could even be a more rural or desolate location. Basically anywhere big or small where your citizens reside.
The winners were the top 3 ranked images, with the final rank determined by the ranking system.
In this Monthly challenge, rep prizes were given for the top 5 placed entries, along with points for the "Overall" and "Monthly & Custom Content" leaderboards.
See this thread for more info

CHALLENGE COMPLETED Results Announced Here!
Create an animated image from your city Season 3 - Challenge #25 - Extended (25 days)
While there's been many creative and lifelike scenes, a picture is just a snapshot of a single moment in time. Animation helps to reveal change, show action, and as we've seen from the many films, can build emotional appeal.
Aim to make it concise but also interesting and memorable. It could even be something humorous. It's your choice what direction you'd like to take, and how the animation is composed.
The sequence could represent action in real time, or as a sped up timelapse.
The winners were the top 3 ranked images, with the final rank determined by the ranking system.
For this Extended challenge, rep prizes were given for the top 3 placed entries, along with points for the "Overall" and "Weekly & Extended" leaderboards.
See this thread for more info

Voting Rules
Votes may be cast by rating images inside the album.
You may rate all entries once at any rating value (1-5). All votes are anonymous.
We encourage you not to rate your own entry.
Try to vote on all other entries, as this will help ensure the results are evenly distributed.
Suggested Voting Criteria
Here are some ideas to help you evaluate each entry when voting:
How well does the animation portray the chosen sequence of action?
How accurate are the transitions between frames?
Does it appear interesting?
The effort you think has gone into producing the animation.
To what extent does it create visual appeal?
The winners will be the top 3 ranked images after a 6 day voting period. Reputation prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries, and the overall average rating. See this topic for more info.
For this Extended challenge, rep prizes will be given for the top 3 placed entries, along with points for the "Overall" and "Weekly & Extended" leaderboards.

Animation Challenge - Create an animated image from your city - Season 3 - Challenge #25 - Extended (25 days) -
Results Announced Here!
Thanks to @philforhockey51 for the challenge idea.
So far, challenges have involved submitting static images from your cities. While there's been many creative and lifelike scenes, a picture is just a snapshot of a single moment in time. But when you take multiple snapshots and put them together, it adds a whole new dimension. Animation helps to reveal change, show action, and as we've seen from the many films, can build emotional appeal.
Alongside City Showcase, the final challenge of Season 3 involves creating an animated image, presenting an urban or rural scene.
Aim to make it concise but also interesting and memorable. It could even be something humorous. It's your choice what direction you'd like to take, and how the animation is composed. The sequence could represent action in real time, or as a sped up timelapse. It should run for around 5-20 seconds -- we're not asking for a short film here!
There are a number of ways to create the animation. Some video capture tools allow a recording to be exported as an animated image. If using SimCity 4, you could use the 'recorder' function to capture and extract the frames. Then a software package could be used for the final composition.
See the Possible Ideas section below for a few examples.
This is an Extended challenge running for 25 days.
Submission Requirements
Your image is animated (e.g. GIF), and portrays a rural or urban scene.
You may use any city-building game -- including SimCity 4, Cities: Skylines, SimCity (2013), and CitiesXL / XXL.
Please submit only one image for this challenge.
However, you may link a larger version of the same image in the description, or post in the comments section. Please see this post for clarification.
For the purpose of voting, please check your image has a full title & description.
Your image must be created solely by yourself, without any assistance from anyone else.
To qualify for entry, please ensure your image is uploaded to the submissions category, and complies with these requirements.
Possible Ideas
Here are a few ideas to get you started, just giving examples of ways to go about this challenge:
Note: The following is not a complete list, or a requirement:
A timelapse, showing a dramatic change in the landscape / terrain (e.g coastal erosion)
Construction of buildings
Urban development over time
Trees growing or receding (deforestation)
People or vehicles moving around
A common scene (e.g city street, local community)
An rare or unusual scene (e.g. riot, car chase)
A recreational or sporting activity
Day to night transition
Fireworks display
An activity in the countryside
A fire spreading
Fire plane extinguishing a forest fire
A rescue attempt
An extreme natural event
Leaderboard Rankings
A new leaderboard system is currently running for this season. This has been designed to incorporate all challenges, linking with each set of results.
Each place in a challenge has points on offer -- the higher you finish, the more points you gain. Then at the end of the season, prizes will be given out to the top 10 in the final standings, with the winner being crowned the Grand Champion!
This Extended challenge is eligible for the "Overall" and "Weekly & Extended" leaderboards.
Full details and the current standings can be viewed in the following topic:
The winners will be the top 3 ranked images after a 6 day voting period. Reputation prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries, and the overall average rating. See this topic for more info.
For this Extended challenge, rep prizes will be given for the top 3 placed entries, along with points for the "Overall" and "Weekly & Extended" leaderboards.
Good luck everyone!

CHALLENGE COMPLETED Results Announced Here!
Explain the steps to do something relating to a city-building game Season 3 - Challenge #22 - Extended (27 days)
This challenge is rather different than usual. Instead of (simply) creating an image or content item, we're asking you to produce a tutorial explaining the process. How do you get from A to B?
Aim to make your tutorial detailed enough to include all necessary steps, while still being easy enough for other people to accurately follow. By doing so, it should be possible to reproduce the desired result, at least to a satisfactory standard.
The winner was the top ranked entry, with the final rank determined by the ranking system.
For this Extended challenge, rep prizes were given for both entries, along with points for the "Overall" and "Weekly & Extended" leaderboards.
See this thread for more info

CHALLENGE COMPLETED Results Announced Here!
How did your city celebrate the New Year? Season 3 - Challenge #24 - Weekly (7 days)
5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Happy new year everyone!
To celebrate the start of 2017, it's time to show the dramatic and dynamic ways your city welcomes the New Year. Each place in the world has its own style of doing so.
We're looking for your finest image showing the style and grandeur in which your city celebrates. It doesn't necessarily have to be at night either -- it's up to you. Just make sure it's big, bold and dramatic.
The winners were the top 3 ranked images, with the final rank determined by the ranking system.
For this Weekly challenge, rep prizes were given for the top 3 placed entries, along with points for the "Overall" and "Weekly & Extended" leaderboards.
See this thread for more info

CHALLENGE COMPLETED Results Announced Here!
BATs, Lots, Mods or Maps. No rules except build anything! Season 3 - Challenge #20 - Content (47 days)
In the final Content challenge of the season, we're basically throwing away the rule books...
For this challenge, you may create any SC4 content you can imagine, not just limited to lots. Maybe an elaborate map, an intricate mod, or a magnificent BAT -- even a combination of these things.
You choose the item(s) you'd like to create, along with the method and techniques to get there. With Trixie nominations just around the corner, an open canvas awaits!
The winners were the top 3 ranked images, with the final rank determined by the ranking system.
In this Custom Content challenge, rep prizes were given for the top 5 placed entries, along with points for the "Overall" and "Monthly & Custom Content" leaderboards.
See this thread for more info

Voting Rules
Votes may be cast by rating images inside the album.
You may rate all entries once at any rating value (1-5). All votes are anonymous.
We encourage you not to rate your own entry.
Try to vote on all other entries, as this will help ensure the results are evenly distributed.
Suggested Voting Criteria
Here are some ideas to help you evaluate each entry when voting:
How well does the scene capture the celebratory atmosphere of New Year?
To what extent is the image bold and dramatic?
Does the image stand out as being visually interesting?
How effective is the use of colour?
The amount of attention to detail, adding to the overall appeal.
The winners will be the top 3 ranked images after a 6 day voting period. Reputation prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries, and the overall average rating. See this topic for more info.
For this Weekly challenge, rep prizes will be given for the top 3 placed entries, along with points for the "Overall" and "Weekly & Extended" leaderboards.

Celebrations! - How did your city celebrate the New Year? - Season 3 - Challenge #24 - Weekly (7 days) -
Results Announced Here!
Thanks to @CloneBoom for the challenge idea.
Streets are lined with dazzling lights, while crowds gather to watch fireworks to the tune of a concert...
5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Happy new year everyone!
To celebrate the start of 2017, it's time to show the dramatic and dynamic ways your city welcomes the New Year. Each place in the world has its own style of doing so. From the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Big Ben, the varied locations set unique backdrops, adding to the excitement and celebrations. There are some who even venture out early before dawn, to reserve the perfect view. Then when the clock finally strikes midnight, it's time to party!
We're looking for your finest image showing the style and grandeur in which your city celebrates. It doesn't necessarily have to be at night either -- it's up to you. Just make sure it's big, bold and dramatic. As usual for enhancement, you may use custom content and/or image editing.
This is a Weekly challenge running for 7 days.
Submission Requirements
Your image features a celebratory scene for New Year.
You may use any city-building game -- including SimCity 4, Cities: Skylines, SimCity (2013), and CitiesXL / XXL.
Please submit only one image for this challenge.
However, you may link a larger version of the same image in the description, or post in the comments section. Please see this post for clarification.
For the purpose of voting, please check your image has a full title & description.
Your image must be created solely by yourself, without any assistance from anyone else.
To qualify for entry, please ensure your image is uploaded to the submissions category, and complies with these requirements.
Leaderboard Rankings
A new leaderboard system is currently running for this season. This has been designed to incorporate all challenges, linking with each set of results.
Each place in a challenge has points on offer -- the higher you finish, the more points you gain. Then at the end of the season, prizes will be given out to the top 10 in the final standings, with the winner being crowned the Grand Champion!
This Weekly challenge is eligible for the "Overall" and "Weekly & Extended" leaderboards.
Full details and the current standings can be viewed in the following topic:
The winners will be the top 3 ranked images. Reputation prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries, and the overall average rating. See this topic for more info.
For this Weekly challenge, rep prizes will be given for the top 3 placed entries, along with points for the "Overall" and "Weekly & Extended" leaderboards.
Good luck all, let's see those sparks fly!

CHALLENGE COMPLETED Results Announced Here!
Show scenes with a winter theme Season 3 - Challenge #21 - Monthly (31 days)
The ground is frozen by ice and snow,
Falling from above, it's quite the photo.
The sun a subtle golden glow,
Shining o'er the mistletoe.
For the winter warmth is here,
People celebrate with festive cheer.
The smell, sound and sight,
Of the eternal winter light.
Yes, this challenge involves creating scenes to celebrate this special time of year (at least as current in the Northern Hemisphere). What brings the sense of atmosphere and warmth to these cold winter months?
You may enter up to 3 images including anything that is associated with winter as a season. From snow to Santa, it's completely up to you!
The winners were the top 3 ranked images, with the final rank determined by the ranking system.
In this Monthly challenge, rep prizes were given for the top 5 placed entries, along with points for the "Overall" and "Monthly & Custom Content" leaderboards.
See this thread for more info

Voting Rules
Votes may be cast by rating images inside the album.
You may rate all entries once at any rating value (1-5). All votes are anonymous.
We encourage you not to rate your own entry.
Try to vote on all other entries, as this will help ensure the results are evenly distributed.
Suggested Voting Criteria
Here are some ideas to help you evaluate each entry when voting:
How well the image portrays the mood & atmosphere of the city.
The extent of creativity used within the scene, or throughout the image's composition.
The amount of attention to detail, adding to the overall appeal.
How much effort you think has gone into creating the image.
Does the image stand out as being visually interesting?
The winners will be the top 3 ranked images after a 10 day voting period. Reputation prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries, and the overall average rating. See this topic for more info.
For this Monthly challenge, rep prizes will be given for the top 5 placed entries, along with points for the "Overall" and "Monthly & Custom Content" leaderboards.

City Showcase - Show the best scenes from your city - Season 3 - Challenge #23 - Monthly (47 days) -
Results Announced Here!
Thanks to @MushyMushy for the challenge idea.
The previous challenges have all been focused around specific themes. We've visited urban, rural and night shots, amongst waterfronts, railroads and bridges. There have been a multitude of magnificent creations from many magnanimous mayors!
But this time, in the final Monthly challenge of the season, we're throwing the doors open, giving you freedom to present any of your finest city-building scenes.
You may enter up to 3 images you've created from your cities, towns or villages. The image(s) can be anything you'd like, not necessarily depicting high density and skyscrapers -- it could even be a more rural or desolate location. Basically anywhere big or small where your citizens reside. As usual, you may also use custom content and/or image editing to enhance the appearance. This is all about providing an empty canvas (or 3) for you to express your unique city-building creativity.
This is a Monthly challenge running for a mammoth 47 days.
Submission Requirements
The submitted image(s) must include a form of human settlement (e.g. city, town or village).
You may use any city-building game -- including SimCity 4, Cities: Skylines, SimCity (2013), and CitiesXL / XXL.
You may submit a maximum of 3 images into the challenge album. These can be from the same or different locations.
a. All your entered images will be eligible for voting, however only your highest rated image will be used in the final ranking.
So basically there are 3 opportunities to gain a place in the results, with no downside to submitting more than one.
b. In the event of images having an identical rating and votes, the earlier submitted image will be selected.
For each submission, you may link a larger version in the description, or post inside the comments section. Please see this post for clarification.
For the purpose of voting, please check a full title & description are included on your image(s).
Your image(s) must be created solely by yourself, without any assistance from anyone else.
To qualify for entry, please ensure your image(s) are uploaded to the submissions category, and comply with these requirements.
Leaderboard Rankings
A new leaderboard system is currently running for this season. This has been designed to incorporate all challenges, linking with each set of results.
Each place in a challenge has points on offer -- the higher you finish, the more points you gain. Then at the end of the season, prizes will be given out to the top 10 in the final standings, with the winner being crowned the Grand Champion!
This Monthly challenge is eligible for the "Overall" and "Monthly & Custom Content" leaderboards.
Full details and the current standings can be viewed in the following topic:
The winners will be the top 3 ranked images after a 10 day voting period. Reputation prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries, and the overall average rating. See this topic for more info.
For this Monthly challenge, rep prizes will be given for the top 5 placed entries, along with points for the "Overall" and "Monthly & Custom Content" leaderboards.
Good luck everyone, let's finish Season 3 in grand style.

Here we celebrate all the amazing images that have been inducted into the Simtropolis Challenges Hall of Fame.
These images have come from a range of contests, as described in their descriptions.
This includes Weekly Extended Monthly and Custom Content challenges.
All HoF images share one thing in common -- they have been voted by you, our member base, as being the best of the best. Congratulations to each and everyone who has made it here.
So dive in and comment, then submit your own as described in the Simtropolis Challenges.
Could your image be next?
Why not give it a try?

Voting Rules
Votes may be cast by rating images inside the album.
You may rate both entries once at any rating value (1-5). All votes are anonymous.
We encourage you not to rate your own entry.
Remember to vote on the other entry, as this will ensure the voting totals are equal.
Suggested Voting Criteria
Here are some ideas to help you evaluate each entry when voting:
Are the objectives clearly defined at the beginning of the tutorial?
How well does the tutorial explain the process?
How detailed is the tutorial for the purpose of the objectives?
Do the steps flow logically, making them easy to follow?
To what extent do any images/diagrams help complement the explanation?
How suitable is the text formatting used?
The winners will be the top ranked entry after an 8 day voting period. Reputation prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries, and the overall average rating. See this topic for more info.
For this Extended challenge, rep prizes will be given for both entries, along with points for the "Overall" and "Weekly & Extended" leaderboards.

How to Do It - Explain the steps to do something relating to a city-building game Season 3 - Challenge #22 - Extended (27 days) -
Results Announced Here!
Thanks to @CorinaMarie for the challenge idea.
Make no mistake, there are many incredible contributions shared daily amongst our community. Files on the STEX, images in City Journals, and guides in the Forums and Omnibus, just to name a few. But whatever the format, there is always a process to follow. The road to reach an end product can greatly vary in complexity. From a simple custom interchange, some intricate MMP work, or a complex BAT with dazzling night lighting, along with all the bells and whistles!
However quite often, particularly in the case of images, the exact creative process remains undocumented. We only see the end product, not the steps the author took to achieve the finished creation. As you've probably already guessed, this challenge is rather different than usual. Instead of (simply) creating an image or content item, we're asking you to produce a tutorial explaining the process. How do you get from A to B?
Aim to make your tutorial detailed enough to include all necessary steps, while still being easy enough for other people to accurately follow. By doing so, it should be possible to reproduce the desired result, at least to a satisfactory standard.
Specifications
Your tutorial must be posted inside the Omnibus: http://community.simtropolis.com/omnibus/
Difficulty: It can be simple, complex, or something in the middle.
If you like, you may base the tutorial around one of your own entries (image or content), produced from a current or previous Simtropolis Challenge.
Include objectives at the start. What is the end goal?
The tutorial should flow in a step by step format.
It may be composed using a selection of text, pictures, diagrams or videos.
Multiple parts (articles) may be posted if needed.
Check formatting is suitable.
Check spelling and grammar for accuracy.
See the Possible Ideas section below for a few examples.
This is an Extended challenge running for 27 days.
Submission Requirements
Your tutorial explains how to follow a process, and achieve a desired end result incorporating a city-building game.
You may use any city-building game -- including SimCity 4, Cities: Skylines, SimCity (2013), and CitiesXL / XXL.
For the purpose of voting, please check your tutorial has an appropriate title.
Your tutorial must be created solely by yourself, without any assistance from anyone else.
As well as the text, this also applies to any included media (e.g. images, diagrams and/or video).
You may NOT enter a tutorial you've previously posted before the start of this challenge (16th December 2016).
You may continue editing or adding to your tutorial, up until the start of voting.
To qualify for entry, please ensure your tutorial is posted in the Omnibus, and complies with these requirements.
Possible Ideas
Here are a few ideas to get you started, just giving examples of ways to go about this challenge:
Note: The following is not a complete list, or a requirement:
How to:
Create an in-game image, including any editing.
Create an item of custom content (e.g. building, lot, mod or map).
Execute an in-game strategy (e.g. zoning, funding).
Use an in-game function (e.g. MMPs for SimCity 4).
Use an item of custom content.
Use a custom content tool, or other program related to the chosen game.
Install or manage custom content (e.g. plugins folder organisation).
Perform a technical task related to the chosen game (e.g. graphics, command line parameters, optimisation).
Play the chosen game. (Just the basics!)
Leaderboard Rankings
A new leaderboard system is currently running for this season. This has been designed to incorporate all challenges, linking with each set of results.
Each place in a challenge has points on offer -- the higher you finish, the more points you gain. Then at the end of the season, prizes will be given out to the top 10 in the final standings, with the winner being crowned the Grand Champion!
This Extended challenge is eligible for the "Overall" and "Weekly & Extended" leaderboards.
Full details and the current standings can be viewed in the following topic:
The winner will be the top ranked entry. Reputation prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries, and the overall average rating. See this topic for more info.
For this Extended challenge, rep prizes will be given for both entries, along with points for the "Overall" and "Weekly & Extended" leaderboards.
It'll be really interesting to see how this unique challenge pans out. Good luck!